Managed VPS Hosting Product Guide

New here? Start the setup journey Experienced? Jump to task areas Just looking? Popular articles

Get More Done with Premier Care

Managing a VPS takes time and technical knowledge. If you’d rather focus on your business instead of server administration, InMotion Premier Care bundles the essentials into one monthly service: advanced security, automated backups, Launch Assist consulting hours, and 24/7 priority support. Premier Care customers get faster assistance and proactive protection, plus expert help whenever they need it.

Learn about Premier Care Talk to a specialist

The Managed VPS Journey

Six phases, in the order you’ll actually do them. Start at phase 1 if you just provisioned your server, or jump in anywhere if you already know where you are.

1

Welcome & Orientation

~15 min

Get familiar with your Account Management Panel (AMP), locate your server credentials, and log into your control panel (cPanel/WHM or Control Web Panel) for the first time. Then schedule Launch Assist: Managed VPS plans include free time with our Solutions team to help with transfers and setup.

2

Configure the Server

~1 hour

Set up your control panel the way you want it: create accounts, add SSH keys, set your time zone, and configure the basics. Foundation work that saves headaches later.

3

Move Your Sites & Email In

varies

Transfer cPanel accounts with the Transfer Tool, migrate non-cPanel sites, move email, and install your SSL certificate. Verify everything works, then point your DNS at the new server and keep the old host live until propagation finishes. Set up SPF, DKIM, and reverse DNS early: a fresh server IP has no sending reputation yet.

4

Secure & Back Up

do this early

Harden your server, schedule backups, and test a restore before you need it. If you only do one thing after migration, do this.

5

Operate Day to Day

ongoing

Monitor disk space, manage accounts, and check logs. The steady-state rhythm of running a server.

6

Scale & Optimize

advanced

Tune your stack, upgrade your plan when you outgrow it, and know when to bring in our Advanced Product Support team for the big stuff.

Browse by Task Area

For when you know what you’re looking for. The same articles, organized by topic.

Getting Started with cPanel & WHM

Control Web Panel (CWP)

Transferring Your Websites & Data

SSL Certificates

PHP & Server Software

Email Service Configuration

Server Security

Backups & Snapshots

Databases

Advanced Tasks

Understand the Concepts

For decisions, not tasks. Read these before you buy, choose, or plan.

What Is a Virtual Private Server?

How a VPS works, and how it compares to shared and dedicated hosting.

Managed vs. Unmanaged VPS Hosting

What InMotion manages for you and what you take on with an unmanaged server.

cPanel vs. CWP: Choosing a Control Panel

The differences that matter when picking the panel your VPS provisions with.

Differences between cPanel and WHM

What each panel controls and when you’ll use one instead of the other.

Do You Need Root Access?

What root access unlocks, what it risks, and how to decide if you need it.

What Is InMotion Premier Care?

What InMotion can handle for you and what you manage as the server admin.

Getting Help When You Need It

Our Support Center contains hundreds of articles covering VPS management, from basic tasks to complex configurations. Can’t find what you need? Contact our Live Support team for expert support from real humans.

Chat or call 24/7

Reach our Live Support team any time by chat or phone.

Contact support ›

Open a ticket in AMP

Submit server-specific issues from your Account Management Panel.

Log into AMP ›

Advanced Product Support

Senior technicians for complex server-level issues.

How APS works ›

Support for your VPS

What’s included with your Managed VPS Hosting package and how to use it.

Read the guide ›